"Brain Drain Hits the Big Apple: NYC Experiences Net Loss of Residents for First Time in Decades A stark new report from the Citizens' Budget Commission reveals that New York City has suffered a net loss of residents in 2025, marking a disturbing trend that has significant implications for the city's economy, infrastructure, and social fabric. According to the study, low- and middle-income New Yorkers are leading the exodus, fleeing the city in search of more affordable living options. The findings paint a bleak picture of a city struggling to retain its most vulnerable populations, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of NYC's growth model. As the city grapples with the challenges of gentrification, rising costs of living, and dwindling social services, the question on everyone's mind is: what's driving the brain drain, and how can NYC turn the tide?"
New York City lost more residents than it gained in 2025, with low- and middle-income New Yorkers leaving at higher rates, a Citizens' Budget Commission study found.
